Technical Writer Ontempo NZ location Auckland. $80,000 – $90,000 per year.

Ontempo is a long-lived and growing 40 person software company in West Auckland. We have provided retail software to New Zealand’s biggest fashion retail brands for more than 30 years, solving real business problems in head office, warehouse, retail, and web shop. There’s always something new to learn and do here, and we’re looking for a technical writer (experienced or first-time) for a maternity leave contract until March 2026.

Documentation at Ontempo serves two main purposes: enables our customers to help themselves by learning how our software works, and serves as a continuous body of knowledge that’s bigger than that which any one of our own staff might have.

Technical writing is an existing function within Ontempo, so there are workflows, systems and guides to follow to get you up to speed. We use Madcap Flare technical writing software, so you’ll have the best tools at your disposal. This is a very collaborative job. As well as writing the guides you’ll decide what to document, learning from our experts and working with our teams to manage your backlog and agree on priorities.

The technical writer’s responsibilities create user guides and product release notes for both PDF and online outputs and present them in a way that can be easily understood. Update the design, layout, and content of the customer-facing documentation website. Maintain the Ontempo website.

Figure out what to document (manage your backlog, anticipate client needs, agree on priorities). Work with product specialists, developers, support staff, and managers to create clear, accurate content. Analyse, interpret, simplify, and communicate technical information. Self-manage documentation projects.

Test content and software for its usability (not your primary role, but devs and BAs value feedback as you can be the first non-developer to use the code). Co-design in-person and virtual conferences around our content (seasonal- not when onboarding new clients). Edit others' written work, e.g. marketing materials or internal documents.

The ideal person will be an excellent communicator, both written and verbal. A quick learner. Approachable, and able to relate to a wide variety of people. Independent and able to reach out for help or answers, rather than waiting to be fed. Good at planning, time management, and project management. Methodical, persistent, and determined. Comfortable using technology, especially word processing software.

You don’t need to be an experienced technical writer to apply, but you must love communicating, be an independent self-starter, and be comfortable using and talking about technology. A retail background will be a definite advantage. Useful experience would be using Ontempo, or working in fashion retail.

Experience in the information technology industry. Skills in Madcap Flare, word processing, or web publishing. Writing, editing, or publishing work, especially technical writing. Graphic design and basic image editing skills. The technical writer works with the Business Analyst, Product Specialist, and Developer teams, and reports to the CEO.

Our benefits at Ontempo include health insurance, a stocked drinks fridge, and plenty of room to grow. Beyond those, though, we run a friendly and supportive workplace. Our team across New Zealand and Australia work flexible hours, and the locals work from home when they want to. We understand that work is just one part of a full life, and we invest in you for the long-term.

This could progress to be split between onsite and remote, but requires full time onsite for at least six months to get up to speed. If you have any questions, feel free to email our CEO, Pete Hall.